Ford Builds Custom Explorer SUV for Pope Leo XIV With Special Touches

A small team at Ford's Chicago Assembly Plant spent weeks last fall building a one-of-a-kind Explorer Platinum hybrid for a recipient they knew only as a VIP. When they finally learned the car was destined for Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, the reaction on the plant floor was immediate. "As soon as I could, I told my family," said Jennifer Barilovich, the project's lead electrical systems integration engineer. "I come from a huge Catholic family, so everyone was thrilled and just thought it was the coolest project."

Ford CEO Jim Farley and his wife, Lia, delivered the finished SUV to the Vatican during a private audience with the pontiff on Feb. 28. The vehicle, a black 2026 Explorer Platinum, carried personalization layered from bumper to dashboard: Chicago flags stitched onto the seat tags, the Windy City skyline embroidered into the center console, and engravings of both the Chicago skyline and St. Peter's Basilica on the scuff plates near the door sills, what Ford described in its press release as "representing Leo XIV's journey to the Vatican." The vanity plates read "DA POPE" and "LEO XIV."

Farley also brought a photo of the Chicago team and handwritten notes from the workers who built the car. The Pope blessed several rosaries for Farley to carry back to his staff. Along with the keys, the team sent a Chicago Assembly Plant recognition coin and a pizza box from Aurelio's Pizza, one of Leo XIV's favorite restaurants from his South Side upbringing.

The geographic connection was deliberate. The Chicago Assembly Plant sits on the city's South Side, has been in continuous operation for more than a century, and is roughly five miles from Dolton, Illinois, the suburb where Pope Leo XIV grew up. "Pope Leo XIV has deep roots on Chicago's South Side — just like Ford," Farley said.

Under the hood, the Explorer is no standard retail model. Ford equipped it with a 3.3-liter V6 hybrid paired with a 10-speed transmission, a powertrain configuration normally found in Ford's Police Interceptor Utility rather than the consumer Explorer lineup. The setup produces approximately 318 horsepower and 322 lb-ft of torque, with a reported top speed around 136 mph. Ford also fitted the vehicle with an antenna compatible with Europe's broadcast radio system. The Pope will use the SUV to cross the Vatican grounds.

For pre-delivery specialist Adolphus Harper, the project carried a dimension beyond professional pride. "I graduated from St. Rita in 1986, so knowing that the pope who once taught me is now driving something I helped assemble — it's unbelievable," he said. His colleague Danny Golubovic put it plainly: "Knowing a vehicle built here in Chicago is going to the pope, it's hard not to feel proud. The work we do here is important — to our city, our families and people."

Farley reported that the Pope took notice of every detail. "He noticed and appreciated all the personal touches," Farley said. "We even took a quick drive, and I can confirm the Holy Father enjoys driving a sporty ride.